I am not really sure if many persons, who do not have a Bali trip in their bucket lists exist. Well, in mine, it had really high rank, more like a dream coming true.

They say that Bali is the island of Gods. Even if that was yet to be determined, the thing that is beyond doubt is that Bali is a true gift given by Gods. Located in the heart of Indonesia and being the most famous part of it, Bali is a world class destination for surfing, scuba diving and exotic living. Every year hordes of tourists from around the globe decide to visit this small paradise despite the month or season. Most of them are coming from neighboring New Zealand and Australia in order to enjoy the cheaper prices offered for accommodation, dining and activities, but one will also find plenty Americans and tourists from around Europe.

Bali combines perfectly the green and blue. Lush green forests and jungles, long rice fields and uncountable palm trees live together, close to the great surfing waves of the Indian Ocean, the rich reefs are to the hazel waters of its sandy beaches.

One thing is for sure: if you decide to visit Bali you will make a huge mistake. Because after your first visit, there is no way of not visiting it again. And again.

Our first trip to Bali was right after the Easter Period, on 21st of April 2015. Bali is located approximately 8 degrees south of the equator, so you can expect a tropical, warm and humid climate all year round with two main distinctive seasons: The Dry Season and the Rainy Season.

The Dry Season is between April and October (some say September) and it is naturally the high season for Bali, with July and August being the most busiest months. The Wet – Rainy season starts from November and ends in March- April and that is when Bali is typically more quiet.But still, weather can be unpredictable, even there, like it was in 2014, when it did not rain till December!

When choosing your travel dates, I strongly advise you to avoid the peak months (Christmas-July-August) because you simply cannot imagine the size of the crowds there. Not to mention that everything is far more expensive, from accommodation to surf lessons, even bargaining is more difficult then! And that is because Bali is not another typical holiday destination. Bali receives an average of 3,1 million tourists per year, on an island of 5,780 km², while the tourist mass is not equally divided within the island but the 80% of them stay only in the warmer south part.

As far as my trips are concerned, I prefer to travel off season, so that I can have a less crowded and more authentic experience. Also, the beast deals can be found off season including great hotel offers, best prices in surf lessons, scuba diving, retreats and any kind of activity. With regards to accommodation, one can find literally everything in Bali: from cheap hostels, tree houses or beach cottages to super luxury grand resorts & spa or enormous private and all-inclusive golf clubs. Well, the latter have never been my taste. What I always seek is to have unique experience with local character, which I cannot find in other places, and since I prefer to travel budget-wise, I chose not that high profile accommodation. If you are a group of friends traveling, renting a Villa will be a great value for money.

What you definitely need to be careful of in Bali is the hotel’s safety and hygiene. Do not compromise your health and safety for a little less money even if you have health and travel insurance. Bali is far and Bali is foreign. Last thing you need is to ruin your tropical holidays searching for medicine for any kind of infections – trust me I’ve been there. Choose your hotel or resort wisely, read the reviews and even if you have booked it and checked-in, do not hesitate to leave if you do not feel comfortable with it. Apart from that, do not close your suitcase without taking your personal first aid kit. You should definitely include in it sunscreens, mosquito repellant, your personal pills or vitamins- do not wait to but them from there, some painkillers or medicine for allergies, if you got some, and any special treatments for conditions that you know you are prone to. It is really hard to find a pharmacy there even if you have the best version of google maps on your phone.

What we did:

We spend our first 3 days in Ubud- a village landlocked in the Balinese jungle. Generally in Bali there is a rule that the northern you go the most authentic experiences you get, because most places in the South has become very touristic over the years. Ubud is a must- especially if you are not planning to go further north-: jungles, temples, monkeys, palms trees, statues, great food, its all there! We stayed at Kertiyasa Bungalow, in Ubud, booked via booking.com and which was our first hotel. It is a small hotel with spacious and clean rooms and amazingly polite personnel. The rooms are built according to the traditional balinese style and they are spread across a small tropical garden which you just cannot stop staring at when you wake up. They are being cleaned daily by 2 persons, who change the bed sheets and towels, while breakfast with coffee or beverage is included in the price. It is not fancy, it is not luxury, it is a simple charming hotel, ideal for young couples or group of friends who are not interested in staying indoors!

We rented a motorbike from right opposite to our hotel for just 5 dollars per day- make sure to ask for your helmet, they are rarely used there and is high likely to find spiders inside, but you should wear it everyday since the traffic conditions can be tricky!

Be sure to use the original gas stations to refill and leave the exotic sellers who offer gasoline in bottles of Absolut Vodka as an emergency choice!

-Kertiyasa Bungalow, in Ubud:

 

 

 

 

Only 5 minutes away from Kertiyasa Hotel you can find the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Yes, you are definitely going there. The amazing temples, statues and the Balinese Monkeys (Balinese long-tailed monkey Macaca fascicularis)  walking next to you, inside the jungle are some of of the things that can make your camera’s memory card full in only 2 hours. Most of the time the monkeys are relatively friendly – meaning that they simply ignore you, but you can feed them with the assistance of the staff there. Do not try to feed them alone and stay away from babies- the parents are overprotective and they can easily bite you!

-Monkey Forest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second day was a rainy one! Ubud has always better changes for a tropical rainfall than Kuta and other villages in the South because it is located in the jungle. And, the northern you go, the possibility of rain increases. So, we – having visited Bali exactly between the change of the 2 seasons- got wet ! Don’t think that because you are in a tropical island, known for its heat and because the iPhone weather suggests low possibility of rain that its gonna be a few drops of rain and thats it! We are talking about a LOTS of water! More like a waterfall coming from the sky! You have never seen that much water! It would be a great idea to have a thin waterproof jacket with you, since it is still hot when it rains. We were lucky enough, not to have a waterproof jacket with us and to catch the rain while driving to the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple- on the motorbike! It is a long way from Ubud to Pura Bratan temple, so make sure to get started early and remember your way back- since signs are not that clear to read or spot..!  You should download the application «HERE» on you mobile – it is a navigation app, like google maps which do not require internet connection- you just need to download the map of the place you are visiting when you have internet connection, and once you do that it works also offline.

Pura Bratan is a major Shivaite water temple, located, 1200m above sea level, on the shores of Lake Bratan, which is also known as the «Lake of Holy Mountain» due to the fertility of that area.  Built in 1633, the temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu, goddess go lakes and rivers, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. «Ulan Danu» literally translates as «head of the lake». There you will find an amazing scenery (the temple, the lakes, flowers,animals) , from those you thought you could only find in National Geographic Photos. Although the climate there is still tropical, is colder than the usual and rain is expected more often than in the rest of Bali.

Unfortunately, since it was raining during our visit, I have not many great photos to share, but do not hesitate to check it online and visit it, its worth it!

-Pura Bratan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to eat? At the Laughing Buddha Restaurant. This small ethnic bar-restaurant should definitely be on the top of your list when visiting Ubud, Bali. Located just a few steps near the Monkey Forest, offers not only high quality local/traditional dishes to taste but also marvelous tropical cocktails and drinks. Not to mention the amazing themed evenings hosting various mini gigs, live performers or dancing events varying from Latin rhytms to Rnb, Hip Hop or traditional Balinese music. You are more than welcome to dance, or have a short dancing tutorial from pro dancers, who are present and in charge of your mood and of passing the local vibes to you!
The chef-owner of the place is a multitalented inspiring woman with a deep devotion to gastronomy. The top quality Greek Olive oil & Greek Olives have travelled all the way from Kalamata (Greece) to make all dishes extra healthy.
This is definitely the place to hang out at! Try the tapas, especially the lemongrass sticks with beef and the chicken wings! If you are having a main course choose the fish or the chicken fillet and do not forget to order a mojito! Did I mention that every afternoon there is a happy hour with 2for 1 cocktails and tapas offers?! Well, I confess, we ate there 4 times!

 

-Laughing Buddha:

 

 

-Views from Ubud:

 

 

 

 

On the third day we visited Tegenungan Waterfall, which is located in Tegenungan Kemenuh town, District Sukawati, Gianyar, close to Ubud. The scene around Tegenungan waterfall is genuinely delightful: the big waterfall is hidden within a lush forest of palm trees, while the water creates natural springs and small lagunas. When you reach the spot, you are being directed to an outdoor parking area. Have in mind that self-appointed parking personnel will act like they are trying to help you park and ask you to pay afterwards – don’t fall for it- you do not have to pay anything, anywhere in Bali, unless a formal ticket is presented to you. Next to the parking you will see a small shop, where you can get water, beverages, or something to eat – I do not recommend it. There is a stairway leading down to the waterfall from where you can get some great photos. Be prepared that when you reach the bottom the waterfall area is highly likely to be overcrowded with tourists and locals-mostly young kids who are playing in the waters. Overall it is a nice small trip, but nothing stunning. Maybe is better to go on a tour for rafting so that you can combine an activity and seeing a waterfall at the same time.

 

-Tegenungan Waterfall:

 

 

 

 

-Ubud:

 

 

 

After spending 3 days in Ubud, we decided to go South. We booked a very cheap hotel in Nusa Dua, which we deeply regretted. We left on the first night because of the terrible level of cleanliness and we replaced it with «The Wangsa Benoa Hotel» the next day. The latter surprised us positively and it was certainly  a value-for-money-choice. The room was enormous, well decorated, super clean and bright. Breakfast was served in the room daily, because their main restaurant area was being built at the moment, but there wasn’t a big variety in the menu at that time. The personnel was super polite and helpful, they arranged for us to rent a motorbike, which was delivered to the hotel almost immediately.

-The Wangsa:

Nusa Dua has not much to show apart from many hotels and beaches with watersports, it is not very big and you can see the whole area in less than a day, so we scheduled a Scuba Diving Trip and after that, next was our Surfing pursuit.

-Nusa Dua:

 

 

 

 

 

Scuba Diving in Bali is something that you have to do. The sea life is simply mesmerizing. You will swim next to uncountable tropical fish of any size and color, while it is almost certain that you will come across manta rays, turtles, mola-mola and sharks – depending on the diving spot. Don’t leave the Diving Center choice to the last minute, it is reaaaally hard to chose one from all these advertising brochures, which are all the same, and is highly likely to end up with a Diving School that you do not like. Try Trip Advisor for once more and take a good look at the website of each Diving Center to check the prices and the Diving Programs that they offer. In any case, feel comfortable that the Pros there are very qualified – they dive every day, at least 2 times a day, all year long and many of them are locals or they have been living for a long time in Bali, meaning that they know extremely well all the diving sites and conditions and they can almost «read» the sea and the weather phenomena.

If you are already a diver I would advise you to take your own wetsuit, booties, mask and snorkel with you, if you are not planning to carry your whole gear. Since there are many tourists diving there, it is better for you to have your own clean wetsuit :).

Great spots for diving are the Lovina Beach (northern Bali), where you can see dolphins and turtles, the Nusa Penida for small sharks and mantas, Padang Bay and Amed.

-Parking Official for Scuba Boat 😉 :

 

After Scuba, it was surfing time! Since we were both beginners, we decided to search for the beginner spots, rent a surfboard and paddle, paddle, paddle.! Since one can find anything on the internet, we were able to visit almost every surf spot in the South, but we were not that lucky with surfing. We rented 2 surfboards and we visited some «easy» spots, we tried to stand up and catch some waves. If you want to rent a surfboard, do not wait until you hit the beach. I would advise you to rent a board from a Store or Retailer shop or even from smaller rental shops found on the road-  you will pay the 1/3 of the price and you will have a bigger variety to choose from. Yet again, if you are a beginner, I strongly advise you to take some surf lessons first and then, if you are feeling comfortable, rent a surfboard and try to catch waves on your own. There are many great surf lessons packages offered, especially in Kuta, and there are also numerous Surf Schools and Surf Camps offering weekly retreats.

 

-Kuta & Kuta Beach:

Kuta is busy and loud. There is a LOT of traffic and a lots of people everywhere. Despite that, in Kuta you will find many shops and huge stores of every surf brand (Roxy, Rip Curl, Billabong, Oneill, etc.), many discount shops and numerous shops that sell used surfboards in good condition. One may think that everything is super cheap there, but in reality the prices are not that low when it comes to branded clothing or surfing equipment. You can find some real bargains, but it’s not the rule, as the most cloths and accessories that are on sale are very old. The really cheap stuff, are goods, accessories and cloths sold by local vendors.

If you are planning to visit Kuta, be prepared to get stuck in a traffic jam and take a buff or a scarf with you – yes, do not laugh, the smell of the carbon dioxide and of other gases emitted by cars and motorbikes is unbearable.

On the other hand, Kuta Beach is a dream. Endless sandy beach with continuous mellow waves, the Beach of Kuta is a paradise for surf beginners or body-boarders. The beach is also nice for a big walk or for a cocktail in one of the many colorful beach bars there.

-Kuta Beach:

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the road again!

The following days we were on a continuous road trip on our motorbike and with our boards (you can rent a bike with a surfboard case..!), checking out all the surf spots and beaches located in the west coast of Bali. Some beaches are private (!) are they require you to pay in order to enter with your vehicle – well, yes, if you park outside the entrance and enter on foot, you are not going to pay, so perhaps it is a good idea to carry a small locker with you to lock the bike and the surfboards. There are certain times of day, when the tide is high, and that’s when it is the best time to go surfing. If you are not really sure about where and when you should go, as I mention before, it is better to ask a local or refer to a surf school.

Yet again, if you are not into surfing at all, a trip to check out all these beautiful beaches of Bali is totally worth it. Just don’t forget to take your mask and snorkel with you!

 

 

-Padang-Padang beach:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Legian Beach, Canggu Beach, Uluwatu Beach:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Tips for your Bali Trip:

-Your passport must be valid for 6 months when arriving, otherwise you will stay at the airport – there are no exceptions to that! You get a visa upon arrival, which is valid for 30days – remember that you need to have one blank page in your passport for it.

-It is a good idea to have both your ID with you so that you can leave your passport locked in the hotel. Make an original copy of your passport and give it to someone back home, in case something happens and you lose your passport.

-Value for money is incredible in Bali, whatever you decide to go for, accommodation, fine dining, activities, local shopping. You can exchange some money at the airport, since you will need them to buy anything from street vendors,- you will instantly feel like a millionaire..!- and almost everywhere in Bali. You can also pay by credit card since almost all credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. Before your trip you will have to notify your Bank about your going-out and coming-back dates, as well as for other destinations before reaching Bali (even plane stops), so that it can allow the transactions made there, which otherwise would appear «suspicious». If do not do that, some banks automatically block the transaction and you cannot use your card at all. That means that you will have to resolve that issue from there, via phone, which is really inconvenient. My best advice would be to issue a pre-paid credit card. That is a card that is not connected to any of your Bank Accounts and to which you can add a specific amount of money each time. That is the easiest way to control your expenses and the safest way to protect your Bank Account details and your money from being stolen. Don’t think that cases of stolen money are rare in Bali.. It happened to us, and apparently someone removed over 1,500 euros from my boyfriend’s account, although he tried to withdraw money only the Bank’s ATM machines..! In any case, ALWAYS put your hand above the keypad when typing your password, everywhere.

-Ubud is the epicenter of vegetarian food! Try the juices and the smoothies but avoid the coffee. As far as coffee is concerned, maybe you should try the Kopi Luwak coffee.

-Look at the maps carefully and drive carefully! There, the traffic is left-handed and one can call it creative driving..!-you will see night driving without lights, almost all motorbikes have their flashlights broken and safe distances? Well there are none! Wear your helmet, download the HERE app, check the map for authorized gas station and…have a buff and a waterproof jacket with you..!

-WIFI is available in many places for free and all hotels have relatively good connection, so its easy to avoid huge charges on phone calls and just use Viber or Skype to communicate with your family back home.

-Always carry a bottle of water with you, sunscreen and a hat. And use them!

-Do not plan your trip during the Nyepi days! Nyepi Day is the Day of Silence and the entire island-including the airport- shuts down!

-Try Scuba Diving, Surfing and Yoga! The is no place more ideal than Bali to combine these 3! If you have time, make sure you visit the neighboring islands Nusa Penida and Lembongan islands- they are even more beautiful than Bali itself! Not to mention Lombok and the Gilis..

-If you are doing Scuba Diving and snorkeling keep in mind that currents are very often during the day and they can be relatively strong. It is better to ask a local.

-In case your travel dates are relatively flexible, I would suggest that you avoid visiting Bali in March or April. The Wet Season has almost stopped and all the water gathered on the island is washing up in the sea carrying every kind of dirt and garbage with it. The sea waters are not than clean in many areas (my personal experience was paddling between plastic bags and women sanitary bags while surfing in Padang-Padang Beach and holding my breath while waiting for the scuba boat to leave the Kuta Port). The water becomes cleaner when the high tide comes in, but still, if you are flexible choose otherwise! That being said, I believe that the best period for visiting Bali is May-June-September-October. Then, you avoid the peak season -Christmas-July-August and the heavy rain of the wet season and you can find plenty of sunshine, clean sea waters, amazing waves and great hotel deals!

-The Balinese are extremely friendly and they are always smiling and welcoming! Also, they are always willing to talk about their customs and culture -especially the taxi drivers- and almost everybody speak english. Be polite yourself, have a low profile, respect their customs and smile! It is a pure exchange of positive energy all over!

 

My second trip to Bali is almost here! This time we are spending less days in Bali, since this trip has Lombok as the primary destination :). Hope to be able to share the experiences right from the spot!

xx